A 63-year-old man has been arrested following the theft of over 24 tons of artisanal cheese from one of Britain’s renowned dairy producers, according to authorities.
The suspect was detained on charges of fraud by false representation and handling stolen goods. He has since been released on bail while investigations continue, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police.
The cheese, valued at more than $390,000, was stolen from Neal’s Yard Dairy in London on October 21. The company announced the arrest on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the police’s progress in the investigation and pledging continued support.
The theft involved 950 wheels of cloth-wrapped cheddar, taken by a fraudulent buyer posing as a wholesale distributor for a prominent French retailer. The scam went unnoticed until after the cheese had been delivered.
Three varieties of cheese were involved in the theft: Hafod Welsh organic cheddar, Westcombe cheddar, and Pitchfork cheddar. Despite the financial setback, Neal’s Yard Dairy assured that all artisan cheesemakers have been compensated in full for their products.
Tom Calver from Westcombe described the incident as “a hoax — it was theft, it was fraud” in an Instagram video, highlighting the empty shelves where the cheese once stood. Trethowan Brothers, suppliers of the Pitchfork Cheddar, also praised Neal’s Yard Dairy for their prompt payment despite the theft, stating, “The way they have handled this horrible situation has only deepened our respect and admiration for them.”
British chef Jamie Oliver, known as “The Naked Chef,” has also drawn attention to the incident, urging his 10.5 million Instagram followers to watch out for “lorry loads of very posh cheese.” He noted that cheddar, being the world’s most consumed cheese, impacts exports to 20 different countries and warned cheese lovers to be cautious of unusually large quantities of premium cheddar on the black market. “Remember, if the deal seems too gouda to be true, it probably is!” he advised.
The fate of the stolen cheese remains unknown, and the police investigation is ongoing.
